不同干燥温度鱼粉对半滑舌鳎稚鱼生长、消化酶及碱性磷酸酶活性的影响

制备基本组成相同、添加100℃常压干燥鱼粉的饲料(1号饲料)与50℃负压干燥鱼粉的饲料(2号饲料)。将两种饲料分别投喂半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossussemilaevis Günther)稚鱼,探讨了饲料中不同干燥温度的鱼粉对半滑舌鳎稚鱼生长、存活率、消化酶及碱性磷酸酶活性的影响。21d的养殖试验结果表明,虽然两种饲料中的鱼粉含量相等(60%),但是用2号饲料投喂的半滑舌鳎稚鱼的特定生长率、体内酸性蛋白酶与碱性磷酸酶活性要优于用1号饲料投喂的半滑舌鳎稚鱼的相应指标(P≤0.001),而存活率、体内淀粉酶与脂肪酶活性相当(P>0.05)。从生长、存活率及酶活性指标看,半滑舌鳎稚鱼对50℃负压干燥鱼粉的消化、吸收要优于对100℃常压干燥鱼粉的消化、吸收。     

野生及人工养殖半滑舌鳎肌肉营养成分分析研究

分析了野生及人工养殖条件下半滑舌鳎背部肌肉的一般营养成分、氨基酸、脂肪酸及常量和微量元素的组成。结果表明,野生与养殖半滑舌鳎的蛋白质含量差异较小,分别为17.20%和17.17%;野生与养殖半滑舌鳎的脂肪含量相对较低,分别为0.15%和2.41%。两者均富含常量和微量元素,其中野生半滑舌鳎的硒和锌含量分别为7.92%和6.29%,较养殖半滑舌鳎高。在氨基酸含量方面,养殖半滑舌鳎呈味氨基酸天冬氨酸、谷氨酸、甘氨酸和丙氨酸略低于野生半滑舌鳎。不饱和脂肪酸的总含量两者相似。但养殖半滑舌鳎C19∶1含量为20.41%,明显高于野生半滑舌鳎的含量(11.68%)。野生半滑舌鳎在C22∶6(DHA)的含量为14.28%,高于养殖半滑舌鳎的含量(10.39%)。     

半滑舌鳎营养需求研究进展

概述了国内外关于半滑舌鳎对营养物质需求的研究进展,以期对半滑舌鳎营养学研究的完善起到一定的引导作用,为开发适合半滑舌鳎养殖的配合饲料提供理论依据。     

饲料中添加不同脂肪源对半滑舌鳎亲鱼繁殖性能和仔鱼质量的影响

以精制鱼油、大豆油、橄榄油为脂肪源配制3组实验饲料,以一种商业饲料为对照组,进行连续56 d饲喂半滑舌鳎亲鱼试验,研究不同脂肪源对半滑舌鳎亲鱼繁殖性能、卵子脂肪酸组成和仔鱼质量的影响.结果显示,对照组亲鱼的相对产卵量最高,橄榄油组次之,鱼油组比橄榄油组低,豆油组最低.对照组的卵子畸形率最低为9.77％,鱼油组为14.53％,橄榄油组为19.4％,豆油组最高为35.17％(P＜0.05).同时对照组与鱼油组仔鱼畸形率分别为3.34％和3.12％,橄榄油组为8.85％,豆油组为17.35％ (P＜0.05).对照组的孵化率也最高,为95.49％,鱼油组次之,为84.88％,橄榄油组为79.57％,豆油组最低,为74.27％(P＜0.05).表明半滑舌鳎亲鱼的产卵期、卵子发育以及仔鱼的成长期都需要饲料中维持一定量n-3HUFA,特别是二十二碳六烯酸(DHA).油酸和亚油酸(LA)在半滑舌鳎卵子的发育过程被选择性保留下来,起着重要的作用.推断出用单一的植物油或者动物油作为脂肪源都不能很好地为其提供必需脂肪酸.     

3种主养鲆鲽类的营养成分分析及品质比较研究

采用常规测试方法对大菱鲆、牙鲆及半滑舌鳎的营养成分和品质进行了分析比较。结果表明,大菱鲆、半滑舌鳎的粗蛋白含量显著高于牙鲆(P0.05),而大菱鲆与半滑舌鳎无显著差异(P0.05);3种鱼的脂肪和灰分含量没有显著性差异(P0.05);大菱鲆、牙鲆、半滑舌鳎中的氨基酸总量依次为37.73、33.32、32.91mg/100mg;大菱鲆、牙鲆、半滑舌鳎中的必需氨基酸占总氨基酸的比值(EAA/TAA)依次为43.50%、43.25%、43.00%;对于高不饱和脂肪酸C20∶4、C22∶5、C22∶6,大菱鲆显著高于牙鲆和半滑舌鳎(P0.05),而C20∶5,牙鲆显著高于大菱鲆和半滑舌鳎(P0.05);在质构分析方面,大菱鲆的硬度显著高于牙鲆和半滑舌鳎(P0.05);大菱鲆和牙鲆肌肉的弹性差异不显著(P0.05),但二者均显著高于半滑舌鳎(P0.05);对可溶性胶原蛋白,大菱鲆显著高于牙鲆、半滑舌鳎(P0.05),牙鲆与半滑舌鳎无显著性差异(P0.05);对不可溶性胶原蛋白,大菱鲆显著高于牙鲆、半滑舌鳎(P0.05),半滑舌鳎显著高于牙鲆(P0.05)。研究证明,大菱鲆、牙鲆和半滑舌鳎都属于优质鲆鲽类,可为人类提供丰富的蛋白质、脂肪、必需脂肪酸、胶原蛋白等营养成分,尤其蛋白质、不饱和脂肪酸和胶原蛋白的含量丰富,可以满足消费者的特殊营养需求。     

半滑舌鳎鳃黏液免疫相关酶活性对黄芪多糖的免疫应答

在水温25℃下,给体质量(5.8±1.5)g的半滑舌鳎投喂在基础饲料中添加0、300、600、900、1200、1500mg/kg和1800mg/kg黄芪多糖的饲料后,每隔18d检测半滑舌鳎鳃黏液溶菌酶、过氧化物酶、碱性磷酸酶和酸性磷酸酶的活性,以检测半滑舌鳎鳃黏液对黄芪多糖的免疫应答及较佳剂量。90d的免疫结果显示,半滑舌鳎鳃黏液溶菌酶、过氧化物酶和碱性磷酸酶活性先增强后降低;半滑舌鳎鳃黏液酸性磷酸酶活性对低剂量(300~600mg/kg)和中高剂量(1200~1800mg/kg)黄芪多糖的免疫应答,随试验时间延长,分别呈增强及先增强后减弱的变化趋势。试验结束时,中低剂量(600~900mg/kg)黄芪多糖组半滑舌鳎鳃黏液溶菌酶、过氧化物酶、碱性磷酸酶和酸性磷酸酶活性均极显著高于对照组(P0.01)。从成本、高非特异免疫活性的角度看,半滑舌鳎配合饵料中黄芪多糖较佳添加剂量为600mg/kg。     

不同饲料对半滑舌鳎摄食、生长及饲料利用的比较研究

以半滑舌鳎为试验对象,进行为期90天的摄食生长试验,比较研究不同饲料对半滑舌鳎摄食、生长饲料利用的影响。试验选择2种商业饲料,一种是品质已获得市场认可的亚洲某知名品牌饲料,另一种为国家鲆鲽类产业技术体系研发的国产优质高效饲料—七好饲料。结果表明:七好饲料组半滑舌鳎的增重量、增重率和特定生长率均明显比亚洲某知名品牌饲料组高,七好饲料组的饲料效率较高,饲料系数较低,表明其饲料利用效率更高。     

半滑舌鳎室内水泥池和池塘养殖技术的初步研究

利用现有的工厂化养殖设施养成半滑舌鳎,以不投喂人工饲料的室外池塘养殖作为对照,评估一种自制沉性配合饲料的养殖效果。结果表明,在9个月的养殖期内,初始平均体重为37.2g的半滑舌鳎在投喂配合饲料的工厂化养殖条件下,平均体重达到566.4g,成活率95.5%,而室外池塘中不投饵的自然条件下养殖,平均体重仅为464.6g。     

半滑舌鳎繁殖及养殖技术(下)

3.放养规格及密度有条件的可放养5～6厘米的小规格苗种先进行中间培育,无中间培育条件的可直接放养8～10厘米的大规格苗种。放养密度根据半滑舌鳎的生长不断进行调节,具体放养密度见表2。4.饲料及投喂(1)饲料种类:半滑舌鳎养成期所使用的饵料主要有配合饲料(包括软颗粒饲料和干     

半滑舌鳎养殖技术之一半滑舌鳎与中国对虾无公害池塘混技术

半滑舌鳎又称半滑三线舌鳎,地方名为龙力、舌头、牛舌、鳎米、鳎目鱼等,属于暖温性近海大型底栖鱼类,自然数量少,池塘养殖中具有适应性强、食性广、抗病能力强、生长速度快等特点.在半滑舌鳎养殖池中适当混养中国对虾,中国对虾可摄食半滑舌鳎的残饵,既节省饲料又改善池底环境,并可取得鱼虾双丰收的成效,因此开展半滑舌鳎与中国对虾无公害池塘混养具有广阔的发展前景.     

A dynamic simulation model for growth of the African catfish,Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822): III. The effect of body composition on growth and feed intake

A feeding experiment was conducted in aquaria to study the effect of body composition on growth and feed intake of Clarias gariepinus. Fishes weighing about 20 g were fed diets with different protein to fat ratios. Diet A contained 60% protein, 7% fat and 19% carbohydrate. The composition of diet B was 20% protein, 7% fat and 54% carbohydrate. After 4 weeks the mean fish weight per tank amounted 33.2±1.5 and 27.5±1.4 g for fish fed diets A and B, respectively, while the fat content of the fish was 3.6±0.3 and 6.1±0.4%.During two consecutive periods of 21 days both the lean and the fat fish were fed diet A or B at five feeding levels. The feeding levels ranged from maintenance to above satiation. Fresh weight gain, protein gain and fat gain were higher with increasing feed ration, until a maximum was reached where extra feed did not result in more gain. This maximum gain was higher for diet A. Feeding with this high-protein diet resulted in better feed conversions compared with diet B. Within one diet, lean fish had a higher maximum growth rate compared to fat fish due to a higher feed consumption. Below the maximum gain, fat fish showed a slightly better conversion efficiency when fed with diet A.A explanatory model, for simulating growth of C. gariepinus, was extended in accordance with these experimental findings. It is assumed that the maximum consumption is regulated by both lipostatic and glucostatic mechanisms. The relevant parameter values were fitted with results obtained in the second experimental period. The adjusted model was tested by comparing simulation with experimental results found in the third period. The model gives good results for feeding levels providing sub-maximum gain. At the highest feeding levels of diet A, fed to initially fat fish, the model overestimated gain. The model was used to predict fresh weight gain of C. gariepinus fed diets with different compositions.     

Dietary fat content and feed supply influence growth and body composition in juvenile beluga sturgeon (Huso huso)

This study is to evaluate the impacts of two levels of fat on the fish growth, feed intake, and compositions of muscle, liver, and viscera on the juvenile Huso huso. There were four treatments: two experimental diets (high-fat: 30% and low-fat: 15%) and two feeding levels (100 or 60% of satiation). The treatments were assigned to 16 tanks each with 15 fish, with four replicates for each treatment. Beluga sturgeon juveniles with an initial weight of 61.3?±?4.4?g were reared for 3?months. Increasing fat content of the diets resulted in an increased final weight (621.8 vs. 467.5?g for high-fat and low-fat diets, respectively, at 100% feeding level; p?<?0.01), but had no impact on feed conversion rate (FCR; p?>?0.05). Total feed intake was increased by the use of high-fat diet (487.8 vs. 365.0?g for high-fat and low-fat diets, respectively, at 100% feeding level; p?<?0.01). Results also showed no interactions between fat level of the diets and feeding level in final weight and FCR. Beluga sturgeon muscle and liver fed high-fat diets contained higher fat than those fed low-fat diets (186.5 and 329.6 vs. 144.1 and 261.9?g?kg^?1 for high-fat and low-fat diets, respectively, at 100% feeding level; p?<?0.01), and feeding levels did not change protein content of the examined organs. In conclusion, beluga sturgeon shows an enhanced growth on high-fat diet, and feed intake does not reduce by the use of high-fat diets.     

Effects of Dietary Binders on Survival and Growth Performance of Postlarval Tongue Sole, Cynoglossus semilaevis (Günther)

A 30‐d feeding experiment was conducted in tanks to investigate the effects of four different binders (2% in microdiet) on the survival, growth performance, and specific activity of digestive enzymes in tongue sole, Cynoglossus semilaevis Günther, postlarvae (24 d after hatching, with initial average wet weight of 22.4 ± 6.65 mg [mean ± SD]). Five approximately isonitrogenous and isoenergetic microbound diets were formulated with carrageenan (Car), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMS), sodium alginate (SA), and gelatin (Gel) as binders, and a diet with no special binder as a control. A commercial diet (RQ Com., manufactured by Marubeni Nisshin Feed Co., Ltd., Chita, Japan) was used as another tested diet, and Artemia nauplii was used as live prey control. The results showed that the survival of the fish fed SA diet (31.3%) was significantly higher than that of fish fed CMS (21.8%), Car (10.8%), and control (21.8%) diets (P < 0.05), but significantly lower than that of the fish fed the live prey (54.5%) diet (P < 0.05). The results of growth followed the similar pattern as that of survival, although there were no significant differences in specific growth rate (SGR) among fish fed SA, CMS, Gel, the control, and RQ diets (7.2, 6.8, 7.0, 6.9, and 7.3% per day; P > 0.05). However, fish fed Car diet had a significantly lower SGR (5.9% per day) than fish fed other diets. Percentages of secreted amylase in fish fed artificial diets were not significantly different, but fish fed artificial diets had significantly higher (P < 0.05) secreted amylase than live prey group. Percentage of secreted trypsin in fish fed SA diet (54.9%) was relatively higher compared with other binders, and not significantly different from RQ Com. and live prey treatments. However, trypsin in fish fed Car diets (29.3%) was significantly lower than in other groups. Specific activities of alkaline phosphatase (AP) in the intestine and AP and leucine aminopeptidase N in brush border membranes in fish fed SA diet (264.6, 1882.8, and 187.2 mU/mg protein) were relatively higher compared with other binders. These results indicate that SA is one of suitable binders compared with carrageenan, CMS, and gelatin in microdiet of postlarval tongue sole.     

Growth of Juvenile Scup,Stenotomus chrysops,Fed Three Commercial Diets

Juvenile scup, Stenotomus chrysops, 0.5–1.5 g weight were fed three different commercial diets for six weeks to determine growth rates. Diets were hand-distributed to triplicate groups of 30 fish, four times a day. Survival for all treatments was 93%. The diets used were INVE Aquaculture NRD marine diet (NRD), Skretting Feed Products Gemma starter feed (Gemma), and Salt Creek Progression fish starter diet (Progression). While all diets supported good growth, after 6 weeks scup fed the NRD diet were of significantly greater length and weight (P?<?0.05) than fish fed the other diets. The effects of each diet on fish growth were significantly different from each other (P?<?0.05), with final live weight (g), total length (mm), relative growth rate (RGR), and daily weight gain (DWG) measurements higher for fish fed the NRD diet. Scup fed the Gemma diet were of significantly greater length and weight than fish fed the Progression diet. The specific growth rate (SGR) of scup fed either the NRD or Gemma diets were not significantly different; however, both of these diets produced fish with significantly higher SGR than those fed the Progression diet. Feed conversion ratios (FCR) of scup fed either the NRD or the Gemma diets were significantly lower than the FCR of fish fed the Progression diet. SGR values were 6.6%, 6.3%?and 5.6%/day, and FCR values were 1.03, 1.11, and 1.31 for fish fed the NRD, Gemma, and Progression diets, respectively. RGR values were 1,439%, 1,212%, and 895%, and DWG values were 0.33 g, 0.27 g, and 0.20 g/day for scup fed the NRD, Gemma, and Progression diets, respectively.     

Effect of Dietary Protein Concentration and Feeding Rate on Weight Gain,Feed Efficiency,and Body Composition of Pond-Raised Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus1

Two experiments were conducted in earthen ponds to evaluate the effect of dietary protein concentration and feeding rate on weight gain, feed efficiency, and body composition of channel catfish. In Experiment 1, two dietary protein concentrations (28% or 32%) and four feeding rates (≤ 90. ≤ 112, ≤ 135 kg/ha per d, or satiation) were used in a factorial arrangement. Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus fingerlings (average size: 27 g/fish) were stocked into 0.04-ha ponds at a rate of 24,700 fish/ha. Fish were fed once daily at the predetermined maximum feeding rates for 282 d (two growing seasons). In Experiment 2, three dietary protein concentrations (24, 28, or 32%) and two feeding rates (≤ 135 kg/ha per d or satiation) were used. Channel catfish (average size: 373 g/fish) were stocked into 0.04-ha ponds at a rate of 17,300 fish/ha. Fish were fed once daily for 155 d. In both experiments, five ponds were used for each dietary treatment. Results from Experiment 1 showed no differences in total feed fed, feed consumption per fish, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), or survival between fish fed diets containing 28% and 32% protein diets. As maximum feeding rate increased, total feed fed, feed consumption per fish, and weight gain increased. There were no differences in total feed fed, feed consumption per fish, or weight gain between fish fed at ≤ 135 kg/ha per d and those fed to satiation. Fish fed the 28% protein diet had a lower percentage carcass dressout and higher percentage visceral fat than fish fed the 32% protein diet. Dietary protein concentrations of 28% or 32% had no effect on fillet protein, fat, moisture, and ash. Feeding rate did not affect FCR, survival, percentage carcass dressout, or fillet composition, except fillet fat. As feeding rate increased, percentage visceral fat increased. Fish fed at ≤ 90 kg/ha per d had a lower percentage fillet fat than fish fed at higher feeding rates. In Experiment 2, dietary protein concentration or maximum feeding rate did not affect total feed fed, feed consumption per fish, weight gain, FCR, or survival of channel catfish. Feeding rate had no effect on percentage carcass dressout and visceral fat, or fillet composition. This was due to the similar feed consumption by the fish fed at the two feeding rates. Fish fed the 24% protein diet had lower carcass dressout, higher visceral fat and fillet fat than those fed the 28% or 32% protein diet. Results from the present study indicate that both 28% and 32% protein diets provide satisfactory fish production, dressed yield, and body composition characteristics for pond-raised channel catfish fed a maximum rate of 90 kg/ha per d or ahove.     

First feeding of common carp larvae on diets with high levels of protein hydrolysates

A 21 day feeding trial was carried out at 24 °C aiming to evaluate the effect of diets containing high levels of protein hydrolysates on growth, survival and body composition of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., larvae since first feeding. Eight semipurified diets based on a fish protein hydrolysate (CPSP) with or without additional nitrogen sources, such as casein, casein hydrolysates or other hydrolysates from several origins, were tested, using a diet based on yeast as a reference. High survival rates of larvae were observed at the end of the trial for all experimental diets, ranging from 97% for the yeast diet to 71% when CPSP was used as the only nitrogen source. In terms of growth, the best results were achieved with the CPSP-casein diet (1:1) and the yeast-based diet (17.5 mm total length / 82.8 mg wet weight and 16.3 mm total length / 55.4 mg wet weight, respectively). Growth of larvae fed on diets with protein hydrolysates as the only nitrogen source was considerably lower than that of larvae fed a mixture of intact protein and protein hydrolysates.     

Growth and efficiency of feed usage by Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed diets with different dietary protein: Energy ratios at two feeding levels

The effect of dietary digestible protein/digestible energy (DP/DE) ratios and feeding level on growth, feed efficiency, nutrient and energy usage by Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ; initial body weight, 7.0 g/fish) at 15°C was investigated in a 16-week feeding trial. Three diets, differing in their DP and DE contents, namely 37/18 (regular diet, RD), 37/21 (high fat diet, HF) and 44/ 22 (high nutrient-dense diet, HND) g/MJ of dry feed were formulated. DP/DE ratios were 20, 18 and 20 g/MJ for the RD, HF and HND diets, respectively. Salmon were hand-fed three times a day at either 100% or 85% of the feed requirement estimated by a bioenergetics model. At each feeding level, DE intake (kJ/fish) was similar for all three diets. Diet composition did not affect growth rate. However, increasing the digestible energy density from 18 to 22 MJ/kg of dry feed resulted in a significant increase ( P  < 0.05) in feed efficiency. Restricting feed intake significantly decreased live body weight gains for all diets. However, feed efficiency was not affected by feeding level. Diet composition and feeding level did not affect carcass composition and nutrient and energy usage, with the exception of a higher ( P  < 0.05) carcass lipid of fish fed the HF100 diet compared with the fish fed the RD and HND diets and a higher ( P  < 0.05) lipid gain (g/fish) of fish fed the HF100 diet compared with fish fed all the diets at the restricted feeding level. Restricting feeding resulted in significantly lower ( P  < 0.05) energy gain (kJ/fish) compared with fish fed at 100%. Increasing the DE and nutrient density of the diet had no effect on growth but improved feed efficiency and lowered solid wastes (g of solid wastes per kg of fish produced) while dissolved wastes were not affected by dietary ormulation.     

Response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to diet acidification: Effect on growth performance and feed utilization

A 12-week feeding trial was undertaken to assess growth, nutrient utilization, some hematological parameters, and proximate composition of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed diets supplemented with graded levels (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) of two blends of organic acids or organic salts. Seven isonitrogenous (300 g CP kg^?1) and isocaloric (19.0 MJ gross energy kg^?1) diets were formulated. The control diet (D1) contained neither added blend of organic acids nor organic salts. Three diets (D2, D3, and D4) were supplemented with 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% of malic acid + oxalic acid blend (OAB), respectively. The other three diets (D5, D6, and D7) were supplemented with 0.5%, 1.5%, and 1.5% of calcium lactate + sodium acetate blend (OSB), respectively. Fingerlings (7.05 ± 0.02 g) were randomly distributed into 21 glass aquaria (160 liter), with each aquarium holding 15 fish. At the end of the feeding trial, O. niloticus offered the control diet showed lower growth and feed utilization than all those fed the organic acids or organic salts blends supplemented diets. Fish fed the diet D3 showed the highest body weight (BW), body length (BL), weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed intake (FI), and the best feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER). Fish fed diet supplemented by 1.5% OAB (D4) showed the highest serum protein content, while control group (D1) showed the lower level of total lipids compared with the other treatments. Fish group fed the diet supplemented with 0.5% of OSB (D5) showed the highest protein and ash contents and the lowest lipid content of the whole fish body, while the control group showed the lowest protein and the highest fat content. The present observations suggest that the growth, feed utilization, and health status of juvenile O. niloticus can be enhanced with a supplementation of 1% of OAB or OSB in the diet.     

Comparison of Practical Diets with and without Animal Protein at Various Concentrations of Dietary Protein on Performance of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Raised in Earthen Ponds1

Abstract— A 2 × 5 factorial experiment was conducted using practical-type extruded feeds containing 20, 24, 28, 32, or 36% crude protein with or without animal protein. The animal protein supplement consisted of 4% menhaden fish meal and 4% meat, bone and blood meal. Channel catfish fingerlings (average size: 26.3 g/fish) were stocked into 50 0.04-ha ponds at a rate of 24,700 fishha. Five ponds were used for each dietary treatment. Fish were fed once daily to satiation for 202 d. There were no differences in feed conversion ratio (FCR), percentage fillet moisture, and survival among treatments. In fish fed diets containing no animal protein, feed consumption, weight gain, and percentage dressout were lower for fish fed the 20% protein diet than those fed diets containing 28% and 32% protein. Fish fed 28, 32, or 36% protein diets without animal protein did not differ in respect to percentage dressout and percentage visceral fat; fish fed the 36% protein diet had higher percentage fillet protein and a lower percentage fillet fat than fish fed other diets with the exception of fish fed the 28% protein diet. In fish fed diets containing animal protein, feed consumption, weight gain, percentage fillet protein and ash, and percentage dressout were lower and visceral fat was higher for fish fed the 20% protein diet than those fed other diets. Fish fed diets containing 24% protein and above with animal protein were not different in respect to weight gain and feed consumption, but fish fed the 24% protein diet had a higher percentage fillet fat than fish fed a 32% or 36% protein diet. Fish fed the 32% protein diet had a lower visceral fat. Considering animal protein vs non-animal protein with the data pooled across all diets without regard to dietary protein level, weight gain and FCR of fish fed diets containing animal protein were higher than those fed diets containing no animal protein. However, weight gain of fish fed diets containing 20, 28, or 32% protein with or without animal protein did not differ. Dressout percentage and fillet protein were higher and fillet fat was lower for fish fed diets containing no animal protein than those fed diets containing animal protein. Data from this study indicated that animal protein may not be a necessary dietary ingredient for fish fed 28% or 32% protein diets typically used for grow out of pond-raised channel catfish under satiation feeding conditions. Whether animal protein should be included in catfish diets containing less than 28% protein is unclear, since fish fed the 24% protein diet benefited from animal protein but those fed the 20% protein diet did not benefit from animal protein. Additional studies to provide more information on low-protein, all-plant diets are currently being conducted.     

Restricted and Satiate Feeding of Two Genetically Isolated Strains of Juvenile Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Reared on 28% and 32% Protein Diets

A 10-wk growth comparison trial of two strains of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus was conducted in 40 120-L flow-through aquaria using a 2 ± 2 × 2 factorial experiment design. The three factors evaluated were: strain (Norris and NWAC103), dietary protein level (28% and 32%), and feeding rate (restricted and satiate). Average initial weight (× SD) for the Norris strain was 3.0 ± 0.08 g/fish, while that of the NWAC103 strain was 4.7 ± 0.13 g/fish. The feeding rate for the satiated group was adjusted based on feeding observations. The feeding rate for the restricted group was adjusted to about ²/₃ of the satiate level. For both satiate and restricted feeding regimens, the NWAC103 strain consumed more feed than the Norris strain. Fish of Norris strain fed the 32% protein diet consumed more feed than fish fed the 28% protein diet; however, there were no differences in feed consumption in the NWAC103 fish fed the two protein diets. Regardless of feeding rate, the NWAC103 fish gained more weight and converted feed more efficiently than the Norris fish. Fillet composition was not affected by fish strain. Fish fed the 28% protein diet had a lower level of fillet protein than fish fed the 32% protein diet. In fish fed to satiation, a 32% protein diet resulted in a lower fillet fat level than a 28% protein diet, but no differences were observed in fillet fat levels between fish fed the two dietary protein levels for the restricted group. Results from the present study demonstrate that under laboratory conditions, the NWAC103 strain of channel catfish is superior to Norris strain in feed consumption, growth rate, and feed efficiency. Our data also indicate that either a 28% or 32% protein diet can be fed to either strain of channel catfish whether they are fed to satiation or fed a restricted ration with no detrimental effects on growth.